The Portland Playlist welcomed Salem’s darling, Gabriel Cox, to the studio Wednesday night. Gabe is a true songwriter at heart. His music “blends elements of blues, rock, pop, funk, and soul.” His latest album, “I Surrender,” has been chosen as the “Best Self-Produced Album of 2016,” by the Cascade Blues Association and will be represented at next year’s International Blues Challenge in Memphis. He has performed all over the West Coast including the Waterfront Blues Festival, has worked with many national acts, and had his songs featured on commercial radio.

For several years, Gabe played guitar and lead vocals in a successful classic Rock and Blues band, Five of Clubs, which also featured his dad, Mark Cox, on drums and vocals. He also performed guitar and vocals for Indie Rock band, KALiCO. He left Salem to move to Portland and branch out as a solo artist, and what a gift that was to the Portland music scene. His next show is December 8th at The White Eagle. Local music makes a great holiday gift and he’ll have cd’s available for purchase.

We listened to three tracks off his new album, “The Railman/Still the Man,” “I’m Gone,” and “Willie Brown II.” Willie Brown was on his 2014 debut album but he decided to make it a bigger production and added the new version on “I Surrender.” It was made into a video that has gone viral, with almost 52,000 views at last count!His in studio performance included two songs off his debut album, “Richochet” and “Wonderful Soul,” and the title track to “I Surrender.” You can watch the Facebook Live videos here and here. Plans are in the works for an acoustic album with a hoped-for 2017 release.

Gabe labels himself a songwriter who plays guitar. He finds the shorter days of winter the perfect time to write and paints a picture of sitting in front of a heater in his garage penning lyrics to the next great song. It has been said that Cox is “John Mayer meets Jack White.” We think this comparison would do Mayer or White proud. If you’re looking for a new artist discovery, we can’t recommend Gabriel Cox enough and we welcome another great talent to our city!

Teri Briggs can usually be found pedaling around town, behind the lens of her camera, or at one of the many local music venues in town. She also has a fondness for volunteering for good causes, promoting her favorite bands on her music page, and dressing up in a tutu.